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EO 12918Executive OrderClinton · D

Executive Order 12918

Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to Rwanda and Delegating Authority With Respect to Other United Nations Arms Embargoes

This executive order implements a U.S. arms embargo against Rwanda mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 918, prohibiting the sale or supply of arms and related materiel to Rwanda by U.S. persons or from U.S. territory. It also delegates authority to the Secretaries of State and Commerce to enforce the embargo and to implement future UN-mandated arms embargoes.

Federal Register 59 FR 28205
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Impact dates

  1. EO takes effect at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time

Key directives

  • Prohibit sale or supply of arms and related materiel to Rwanda from U.S. territory, by U.S. persons anywhere, or using U.S.-registered vessels/aircraft
  • Exempt UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda, UN Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda, and other UN Security Council-permitted entities
  • Prohibit willful evasion or attempted evasion of embargo
  • Delegate enforcement of Munitions List items to Secretary of State
  • Delegate enforcement of Export Administration Regulations items to Secretary of Commerce in consultation with Secretary of State
  • Direct all agencies to take appropriate measures including suspension/termination of existing licenses
  • Delegate authority to implement future UN Security Council-mandated arms embargoes

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Arms embargo takes effect at 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 26, 1994
  • All agencies directed to suspend or terminate existing licenses or authorizations

Near term (90d)

  • Secretaries of State and Commerce to promulgate implementing rules and regulations
  • Enforcement mechanisms to be established for Munitions List and Export Administration Regulations items

Long term

  • Standing delegated authority for future UN Security Council arms embargoes
  • Ongoing compliance monitoring and enforcement

Risks & tensions

  • Timing during 1994 Rwandan genocide raises questions about adequacy of international response; embargo aimed at non-state actors but did not halt genocide
  • Broad delegation to Commerce and State for future embargoes without further presidential action may raise congressional oversight concerns
  • Exemption for UN missions creates enforcement complexity in conflict zone
  • No explicit end date or review mechanism specified in order
Executive Order 12918: Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to Rwanda and Delegating Authority With Respect to Other United Nations Arms Embargoes · Executive Orders